Method and system for printing multiple regions across a mail piece

Abstract

A method and system that allows for large amounts of data to be printed utilizing a small memory is provided. The complete image to be printed on the print medium is separated into different regions each having associated print data. The memory device, while being too small to store all of the print data for the full image, is capable of storing the print data associated with each region. The print data for each region is released from the print head controller to the memory device for printing in a timed fashion based on movement of the print medium. The print data for a subsequent region will not be passed to the memory until the print medium has moved a sufficient distance, thereby indicating that printing of the preceding region has been completed.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for printing a complete single image including a postage indicium and other information not related to the postage indicium on a mail piece in a mail processing system including a printer, the printer retrieving print data associated with the complete single image from a memory device, the complete single image having an amount of print data greater than capacity of the memory device, the method comprising:
 separating, by a processor, the complete single image into a first region including all of the postage indicium and a second region including at least a portion of the other information, each region being sized such that all print data associated with each region can be stored in the memory device; 
 transporting the mail piece along a transport path through the mail processing system, the transport path passing the mail piece past a print head; 
 loading all print data associated with the first region into the memory device as the mail piece approaches the print head; 
 reading the print data associated with the first region from the memory device and printing an image of the postage indicium corresponding to the print data associated with the first region onto the mail piece as the mail piece is transported past the print head; 
 determining, by the processor, if printing of the first region has been completed based on movement of the mail piece along the transport; 
 loading all print data associated with the second region into the memory device after it has been determined that printing of the first region has been completed based on movement of the mail piece along the transport path; and 
 reading the print data associated with the second region from the memory device and printing an image of the other information corresponding to the print data for the second region onto the mail piece as the mail piece is transported past the print head. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein printing an image corresponding to the print data for the second region further comprises:
 printing the image corresponding to the print data for the second region after a predetermined delay, 
 wherein a gap will be provided between the postage indicium and the other information. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining if printing of the first region has been completed further comprises:
 utilizing an encoder to determine movement of the mail piece along the transport path. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the other information includes a return address for the mail piece. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the other information includes an advertisement or slogan. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mail processing system processes a plurality of mail pieces, and the second region is printed on only a portion of the plurality of mail pieces. 
     
     
       7. A mail processing system comprising:
 a control unit for generating print data for a complete single image including a postage indicium and other information not related to the postage indicium to be printed on a mail piece; 
 a transport to transport mail pieces through the system for processing; 
 a memory device coupled to the control unit to store the print data for the single image, the memory device having insufficient capacity to store all of the print data associated with the complete single image; and 
 a print head coupled to the memory device for reading the print data from the memory device and printing the complete single image on a mail piece; 
 the control unit and print head being programmed to: 
 separate the complete single image into a first region including all of the postage indicium and a second region including at least a portion of the other information, each region being sized such that all print data associated with each region can be stored in the memory device; 
 load all print data associated with the first region into the memory device as the mail piece approaches the print head; 
 read the print data associated with the first region from the memory device and print an image of the postage indicium corresponding to the print data associated with the first region onto the mail piece as the mail piece is transported past the print head; 
 determine if printing of the first region has been completed based on movement of the mail piece by the transport; 
 load all print data associated with the second region into the memory device after it has been determined that printing of the first region has been completed based on movement of the mail piece by the transport; and 
 read the print data associated with the second region from the memory device and print an image of the other information corresponding to the print data for the second region onto the mail piece as the mail piece is transported past the print head. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the other information includes a return address for the mail piece. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the other information includes an advertisement or slogan.